Federal Court Sentences Former Davenport Man for Conspiracy to Distribute Marijuana

DAVENPORT, IA - On March 26, 2015, Jared Michael Fromknecht, age 23, formerly of Davenport, Iowa, and Denver, Colorado, was sentenced by United States District Court Senior Judge James E. Gritzner to 59 months in prison, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute at least 100 kilograms of marijuana, announced United States Attorney Nicholas A. Klinefeldt. Fromknecht was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release, and to pay $100 towards the Crime Victims Fund.

From approximately May 2011, to March 6, 2013, Fromknecht agreed with several individuals, including George Podes, Morgan Hermiston, Charles Williams, Harrison Summers, Jacob Aldrich, Michael Wood and Austin Iossi to distribute marijuana. Fromknecht would obtain multiple pound quantities of marijuana in Colorado, mainly from Podes, and ship this marijuana, or direct others to ship this marijuana by mail service to Iowa. During this conspiracy, Fromknecht was present at the Denver residence of George Podes, and assisted Podes in cultivating and growing marijuana. Fromknecht shipped marijuana to Charles Williams and directed Williams to deposit payment in a bank account. Fromknecht mailed packages of marijuana to Jacob Aldrich and Michal Wood and directed them to deliver this marijuana to Morgan Hermiston. He also recruited Andres Guillermo Sanchez to ship marijuana through the mail and receive payments for these drugs in Colorado. During this conspiracy, drug proceeds of over $200,000 were deposited in a bank account. Fromknecht admitted being responsible for in excess of 100 kilograms of marijuana.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Iowa Department of Public Safety-Division of Narcotics Enforcement, the United States Postal Inspections Service, and the Davenport, Iowa, Police Department. This case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.